Pictured: Mr.George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board accompanied by The Leadership Team, Staff and Students of Coláiste Chiaráin at the planting of the school Orchard. (November 2021)

Gerard O’Sullivan, Principal at Coláiste Chiaráin commented “for many years our school has had an excellent partnership with Kirby Group Engineering through the Business in the Community Initiative. We were absolutely delighted to work with Kirby Group Engineering and support the Orchards in the Community Initiative by planting our very own Orchard on our new school grounds.  This orchard will be a wonderful amenity for our school community now and for many years to come as well as providing much needed habitat for native bees.  What a wonderful development for our school.  Well done and thank you to our Caretaking Team, Student Council, Green School members and all who have realised this wonderful project”

Orchards are important habitats as they support many species of flora and fauna, and in particular, the 99 species of bees in Ireland, of which 30% are facing extinction. Orchards play a key role in providing an early food source for our struggling bees as they emerge from winter.

The Orchards in the Community initiative is an excellent initiative promoting partnership and also restoring much needed biodiversity and habitat throughout the country.  For more information on the Orchards in the Community and DC for Bees initiatives please visit: https://www.hostinireland.com/dc-s-for-bees